Dr. Richard Davidson - Health & Gum Disease

Many people have only thought of gum disease or pyorrhea in terms of their teeth, gums, or perhaps, bone. Now, many people are finally becoming aware that periodontal (gum) disease is a serious infection that can release bacteria, pus and destructive products of inflammation (called cytokines) into the blood stream, which can spread to the heart, brain or lungs, or any other part of the body where blood flows.

HEART DISEASE & HEART ATTACK: Cardiovascular disease causes about 50% of deaths in the United States. In otherwise healthy people, a test of systemic inflammation, CRP (C Reactive protein) more accurately predicts the risk of heart attack than the level of LDL, the bad cholesterol. The level of CRP is raised with gum disease or periodontal disease. People with pyorrhea or periodontal disease have a 25% greater chance of having Coronary Heart Disease then those who have little or no gum disease or inflammation, and are 2.7 times more likely to have a heart attack. Bacteria that are normally found in the mouth are the common cause of damage to heart valves that require valve replacement.

STROKE AND CEREBRO-VASCULAR PROBLEMS: People with periodontal disease are three times more likely to suffer a stroke then people who are healthy. Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease appear to be caused by inflammation in the body. Alzheimer's disease has definitely been linked to periodontal disease.

DIABETES: Poor control of blood glucose levels seems to play an important role in the development of blood vessel narrowing. Reports show that effective periodontal therapy helps in the stabilization of serum glucose levels, thus reducing the risk of vascular disease or periodontal disease. Not treating diabetes mellitus multiplies by 2 to 5 times the risk of gum disease.

LUNG DISEASE: Periodontal disease appears to be implicated in emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis and institutional pneumonia. Some researchers suspect that people may inhale bacteria oozing from their gums.

PRE-TERM BIRTH: Women with periodontal disease are more likely to prematurely give birth to a low weight baby, with a resultant decrease in the baby's chances of survival.

ORAL BACTERIA: Like bacteria on any other part of the body, bacteria in your mouth is contagious- it can be transmitted to other people, such as your spouse, your children and other friends or relatives; possibly increasing their risk of developing gum disease or periodontal disease and subsequent medical conditions.